The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, anticipating the resignation of Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), has created a special election fund to use if Renzi resigns. Money from the fund must be transferred to the Democratic nominee within 10 days after the special election, according to election law.

"This is the first time we've created a fund of this nature," said DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell.

Renzi is currently under investigation by the FBI over a land swap deal. He has said he will not be resigning from his seat, but faces significant obstacles to mounting an effective campaign for 2008.

By withdrawing from R.O.M.P. - a key GOP fundraising program to protect targeted Republicans - and by stepping down from his committees, Renzi has hampered his ability to raise money for re-election. And with only $80,000 in his campaign account, he's well behind many other targeted Republicans.

According to Arizona election law, Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-Ariz.) has ten days after any resignation to set a special election date. She can then set the special primary date between 75 and 105 days after that. The special general election would then take place between 35 and 45 days after the primary.

2006 nominee Ellen Simon will also be running in the special election.

"There's a lot of backroom political jockeying going on right now to get support," said one Democratic consultant.

If all those candidates entered, some Democrats believe Mitchell would have a slight edge in the primary because he hails from a fast-growing, competitive county (Pinal County) in the sprawling Northeast Arizona district. Most of the

Democrats considering running are from the more Democratic, northern part of the district.

On the Republican side, state Rep. Bill Konopnicki said that he'd "probably take a look" at running if Renzi stepped down. State senator Tom O'Halleran said he would "give it very strong consideration." Former state Senate president Ken Bennett is also considered a leading candidate if a special election is held.

California scheming

Democratic state Assemblywoman Laura Richardson announced her candidacy to replace the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Calif.) Tuesday, and in the process, took some shots at state Sen. Jenny Oropeza (D), her chief rival.

In her campaign announcement, Richardson criticized Oropeza for spending her entire career in politics.

"I believe I have the best experience of what the voters are looking for," Richardson said. "Sen. Oropeza has, in her entire life, only worked from a legislative perspective."

Oropeza consultant Parke Skelton responded: "It's a little strange for someone who's serving the state legislature for attacking someone else for being in the state legislature."

Oropeza kicked off her own campaign this morning, and is the only announced Hispanic candidate in the race. Hispanics make up a plurality of the district's population but have wielded less political influence because many are not registered to vote.

"Since the 1980s, I have worked to serve this community as a locally elected school board member, locally elected city council member, locally elected state Assembly member and now as a locally elected state Senator," Oropeza said in her announcement. "You can count on me to bring that same leadership to the United States Congress."

Meanwhile, a former top Democratic House candidate, Long Beach city councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, is jumping into the special election race - seven years after she narrowly lost a House campaign against then-Rep. Stephen Horn (R-Calif.).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set an August 21 special general election date to replace Millender-McDonald, who died of cancer last Sunday. The special primary election, featuring candidates from all parties, will take place June 26.

Nutmeg State nominees

Republicans are confident they've landed two top recruits in Connecticut to challenge freshman Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), even though the state ousted two longtime GOP incumbents in last year's midterm elections.

Former Groton Naval Base Commander Sean Sullivan and state senator David Cappiello each announced they're running and have emerged as the leading candidates to win the nominations.

"We have landed two heavyweights," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain. "Sean Sullivan has a strong resume, as well as deep roots in the community. Look at a guy like Cappiello, who is a proven vote-getter and a leader in the state Senate. Both reflect the interests and values of the district."

But Democrats believe that the Democratic tilt of the districts will help propel their well-funded incumbents to re-election. President Bush lost Courtney's district by 10 points in 2004 and by 14 points in 2000. And Democrats have carried Murphy's district in every presidential election since 1992.

"Both Congressman Courtney and Murphy were sent to Washington to change the direction of our country and they've been fighting to do just that. We're confident they will win re-election in 2008," said DCCC spokeswoman Carrie James.